VCU shocks Shockers to advance

Bradford Burgess made a three-pointer with 1 1/2 minutes remaining to give the Rams a 60-59 lead. After Garrett Stutz missed an easy layup at the other end, Darius Theus made a floater in the lane to make it a three-point contest.

Following a timeout with 12 seconds to play, Stutz was off the mark with a shot from beyond the arc.

Burgess had 16 points for the Rams (29-6), who made it to the Final Four last year. Theus and Troy Daniels each tallied 10 points.

VCU, which won the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament title game, set a school record for wins in a season with Thursday's victory. The Rams will play New Mexico State or Indiana in the third round of the South Region.

Joe Ragland ended with 15 points for the Shockers (27-6), who were playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2005-06 season, when they reached the Sweet 16.